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THE  LIBRARY 

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THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


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SALT  RIVE R  VALLEY 
A  3L  I     1    O    N   A 


U     I     L     D     I     N     G  THE  T     O     N     T     O  <D     A      M 

SALT  RIVER  VALLEY 
ARIZONA 


Off. 


ers 


Productive  Lands,  A  Healthful  Climate 

and  Rare  Opportunities  to  tne  Investor 

and  Homeseeker 


Written  and  Published  by 

J.   W.  iCRENSH  AW 

Commissioner  of  Immigration 
for  Marico^a  County 

©y  Authority  of 

THE  BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS  OF  MARICOPA  COUNTY 

and  Endorsed  by 

THE  PHOENIX  AND  MARICOPA  COUNTY 
BOARD  OF  TRADE 


Copyright  1908  by  the 
NORMAN  PIERCE  COMPANY 
New  York     Chicago      San  Francisco 


SALT 


• 
RIVER       VALLE 


ft  I 


in  Phoenix 


HE  Suit  River  Valley,  which  is  situated  in 
Maricopa  county,  Arizona  offers  special  induce- 
ments  to  the  farmer,  the  investor  and  the 
home  seeker;  and  the  object  of  this  publication  is  to  call  the  atten- 
tion of  those  who  are  seeking  investments  and  homes  to  the  rare 
opportunities  offered  here. 

This  valley  comprises  about  a  half  million  acres  of  very  fer- 
tile land.  The  climate  is  mild,  dry,  and  free  from  snow,  ice,  cold 
winds  and  violent  storms.  No  cyclones,  sunstrokes  or  frostbites. 
Of  this  half  million  acres,  there  are  about  125,000  acres  in  culti- 
vation. 

Owing  to  the  scarcity  of  rain,  all  of  the  lands  of  the  Salt  River 
Valley  must  be  irrigated  in  order  to  produce  crops,  dams  are  built 
across  the  river,  and  the  water  is  conducted  to  the  land  through 
canals,  ditches  and  laterals.  When  the  water  is  applied  to  the 
lands  vegetation  immediately  springs  forth.  It  is  difficult  to 
make  an  outsider  believe  that  for  only  a  month  or  two  vegetation 
is  at  a  standstill,  and  that  from  four  to  six  hay  crops  can  be  har- 
vested during  the  season.  Yet  this  is  true. 

Much  difficulty  has  been  experienced  by  the  flood  waters  of 
our  rivers  going  to  waste  at  a  time  when  they  were  not  much  needed, 
and  when  needed  there  was  not  enough  to  supply  the  demand. 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


r  i  z  o  n  a  s 


Capitol     Building 


HPHIS  difficulty  will  soon  be  overcome  by  impounding  the  flood 
^  waters  by  means  of  great  dams  and  reservoirs.  The  United 
States  Congress,  in  passing  the  National  Irrigation  law,  put  in  force 
one  of  the  wisest  acts  of  recent  years.  This  law  will  cause  many  a 
desert  waste  to  be  reclaimed.  Happy  homes  will  'spring  forth 
and  millions  of  people  will  live  and  prosper  where  once  there  was 
nothing  of  value  to  mankind. 

The  people  of  the  Salt  River  Valley  were  in  position  to  take 
immediate  advantage  of  the  Reclamation  Act.  Preliminary  in- 
vestigations showed  the  possibility  of  water  storage  on  Salt  River 
in  Tonto  basin.  This  project,  which  is  known  as  the  "Salt  River 
Project,"  was  one  of  the  first  undertaken  by  the  United  States 
Reclamation  Service,  and  is  now  being  vigorously  prosecuted  to 
completion  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  lands  now  under  culti- 
vation with  a  steady  flow  of  water,  and  reclaiming  from  the  desert 
other  lands  which  heretofore  were  without  water. 


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The  Ton  to  Dam  and  Reservoir 

HHHE  Tonto  dam  and  reservoir,  as  they  are  known,  locally,  from 
*•  their  location  just  below  the  junction  of  Tonto  creek  with 
Salt  River,  though  under  the  Reclamation  Service  are  called  the 
Roosevelt  Dam  and  Reservoir,  will  give  a  continuous  supply  of 
water  for  about  200,000  acres  of  land.  This  dam  is  seventy  miles 
from  Phoenix,  but  the  land  to  be  irrigated  from  it  lies  within  a 
radius  of  20  miles  around  the  city  — the  Salt  River  Valley.  The 
dam  is  reached  by  a  fine  wagon  road,  just  like  a  boulevard,  from 
Mesa  City,  built  through  magnificent  mountain  scenery,  at  a  cost 
of  about  $100,000,  $75,000  of  which  was  contributed  by  Phoenix, 
Tempe  and  Mesa. 

This  dam  is  being  built  of  huge  blocks  of  stone  laid  in  cement 
in  the  most  permanent  of  masonry  construction.  Tonto  dam 
will  tower  280  feet  above  the  foundation  on  bedrock  thirty  feet 
below  low  water  mark.  This  means  250  feet  of  structure  above  the 
surface.  At  each  end  of  the  dam,  overflows  or  spillways  will  be 


City  Hall  and  County  Court  House,  Phoenix 


SALT       RIVER        VALLEY 


Phoenix    Hotels 


cut  in  the  solid  rock  of  the  canyon  sides.  These  spillways  will 
be  200  feet  wide,  20  feet  deep,  and  over  each  will  be  built  a  con- 
crete bridge  connecting  with  the  top  of  the  dam,  and  forming  a 
continuous  wagon  road  over  the  dam.  Water  will  be  let  out  of 
the  reservoir  through  a  500  foot  tunnel,  cut  through  the  solid  rock 
around  one  end  of  the  dam.  Stretching  behind  the  dam  will  be 
the  largest  artificial  body  of  water  in  the  world,  a  lake  25  miles 
long,  with  an  average  width  of  1^  miles,  and  a  capacity  of  1,300,- 
000  acre  feet.  This  means  water  sufficient  to  cover  1,300,000 
acres  one  foot  deep.  The  cost  of  construction  will  be  $3,850,000. 
The  number  of  acres  to  be  served  from  the  reservoir  will  be  200,000. 
It  is  not  expected  that  the  whole  supply  of  the  reservoir  shall 
be  used  in  any  one  year.  While  at  present  it  takes  about  4  acre 
feet  of  water  to  thoroughly  irrigate  crops  through  the  year,  over 
half  of  this  supply  is  received  from  the  natural  flow  of  the  river. 


R          I  ON 


AT  this   rate,  the  reservoir,  when  once  filled,  would  suffice  for 
about  3  years'  supply  if  no  more  water  should  be  added  to  it 
in  that  time  from  natural  sources. 

During  the  early  months  of  1905,  careful  figuring  shows  that 
enough  water  ran  down  the  river  and  went  to  waste  to  fill  the  reser- 
voir three  times.  The  same  has  been  the  case  during  the  winters 
and  springs  of  1906  and  1907. 

(jranite  (R.eef — Diversion  Dam 

OR  thirty  miles  or  more  below  the  Roosevelt  dam,  Salt  River 
flows  through  a  precipitous  box  canyon,  and  this  natural 
water-way  will  be  the  outlet  for  the  reservoir.  At  the  mouth  of  this 
canyon,  and  below  the  junction  of  the  Salt  and  Verde  Rivers, 
the  U.  S.  Government  is  constructing  a  permanent  diversion  dam 
at  Granite  Reef,  28  miles  up  the  river  from  Phoenix.  This  dam, 
which  will  rest  on  rock  foundation,  will  be  built  of  stone  and 
cement,  and  when  completed,  will  withstand  the  floods,  which  here- 
tofore have  carried  away  the  temporary  dams,-  sometimes  once  or 
twice  a  year.  This  dam  is  not  intended  to  impound  water,  but 
simply  to  divert  the  water  from  the  river  into  canals.  The  dam, 
when  completed,  will  divert  the  water  of  the  river  into  two  large 
distributing  canals,  one  on  the  north  side,  and  the  other  on  the  south 
side,  of  the  river.  These  canals  will  carry  water  down  the  valley  to 
the  smaller  canals,  ditches  and  laterals,  to  the  lands  to  be  irrigated. 

Development  of  Power 

HPHE  U.  S.  engineers  of  the  Reclamation  Service,  in  carrying  out 
•*•    the  plans  of  the  Salt  River  project,  have  taken  into  consider- 
ation the   practicability   of   developing   power    for    pumping  and 
manufacturing  purposes  as  an  additional  asset  to  this  great  work. 


SALT      RIVER       VALLEY 


oo 


Phoenix   Church 


A  diversion  clam  and  canal  were  built  about  18  miles  above  the 
Tonto  dam  for  the  purpose  of  developing  power  in  the  construction 
of  the  dam.  This  has  proved  to  be  very  satisfactory,  and  the 
power  obtained,  which  amounts  to  about  5,000  horsepower,  is  being 
utilized  in  running  the  cement  mill,  ice  plant,  electric  light  plant, 
dredging,  lifting  stone  into  place,  and  all  other  things  necessary 
in  carrying  the  work  to  completion.  Other  power  plants  will  be 
inaugurated  along  the  river  and  canals,  so  that  when  the  project 
is  completed,  20,000  to  25,000  horsepower  can  be  developed  for 
the  use  and  benefit  of  the  people  owning  lands  under  this  system. 
As  power  is  greatly  in  demand  in  a  country  where  fuel  is  so  dear, 
this  power  when  leased  or  sold  will  bring  in  a  revenue  of  $500,000 
or  more  annually.  This  may  be  the  means  of  returning  to  the 
Government  the  original  cost  of  the  works  now  under  construction, 
and  afterwards,  a  revenue  for  maintenance,  repair,  and  other  expenses 
incident  to  the  irrigation  of  so  large  an  extent  of  country. 


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Principal  Crofis  Raised  in  the 
Salt  River  Valley 

HPHE  crops  raised  in  the  valley  consist  chiefly  of  wheat,  barley, 
*-  oats,  sorghum  and  alfalfa.  Although  the  water  supply  has 
never  been  constant  the  year  round,  owing  to  the  washing  out  of 
da  ins  and  dry  seasons  of  several  months  at  a  time,  yet  the  yield 
per  acre  as  compared  with  lands  in  other  sections  where  irrigation 
is  not  in  vogue,  is  vastly  superior. 

The  yield. of  wheat  is  from  1800  to  2500  Ibs.  per  acre,  or  30  to 
35  bushels.  Of  barley,  the  yield  is  1500  to  2000  Ibs.  per  acre,  or 
30  to  35  bushels.  Alfalfa  for  hay  is  cut  from  four  to  six  times 
per  year,  thus  yielding  from  six  to  ten  tons  of  dry  hay  and  leaving 
at  least  four  months  of  the  year  for  pasturage.  Barley  and  oats 
are  also  grown  for  hay,  and  when  cut  in  the  milk  make  fine  feed 


Arizona  School  of  Muaic  and  Don-is  Theater 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


e  m  p  e 


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1     Sch 


for  horses  and  cattle.  Wheat  sells  for  $1.20  to  $1  60  per  100  Ibs. 
Barley  brings  from  80^  to  $1.25  per  100  Ibs.  Alfalfa  hay,  baled, 
from  $8.00  to  $12.00  per  ton.  Alfalfa  hay  in  stack  from  $5.00 
to  $8.00  per  ton.  Alfalfa  for  pasturage  from  $5.00  to  $6.00  per 
acre  per  year. 

Other  Crofis  Raised 

RANGES  are  grown  in  this  valley,  there  being  now  from  1200 
to  1500  acres  devoted  to  orange  culture.  The  yield  is  large, 
and  the  fruit  commands  a  high  price  in  eastern  markets.  The 
Washington  navel  orange  sells  in  New  York  for  $5.00  to  $8.50 
per  box,  or  about  $3.00  to  $5.00  after  paying  the  freight  and  other 
expenses.  This  orange,  for  flavor  and  sweetness,  has  no  superior, 
and  is  placed  on  the  market  a  month  earlier  than  California  oranges. 
About  one  hundred  car  loads  will  be  shipped  out  this  season. 


R         I          Z          O         N 


Till-]  urape  fruit   also  docs  well  here,  and  is  more  profit  able  than 
the  orange  to  the  grower.     The  strawberry,  the  raspberry  and 
all  kinds  of  garden  truck,  thrive  in  this  climate,  and  the  yield  is 
very  large  and  profitable  to  the  growers. 

Nfelons  and   Cantaloupes 

'T'HIS  valley  seems  to  be  particularly  suited  for  watermelons  and 
•••  cantaloupes,  and  the  yield  per  acre  is  very  large  and  the  profits 
good.  The  cantaloupe  ripens  earlier  here  than  in  most  sections, 
and  owing  to  the  excellent  flavor,  brings  a  good  price  in  the  Chicago 
and  other  eastern  markets.  The  average  yield  is  from  150  to  200 
crates  per  acre,  and  the  price  received  is  from  800  to  $1.70  per 
crate  net.  The  country  about  Mesa,  16  miles  east  of  Phoenix,  is 
celebrated  for  its  famous  cantaloupes.  The  writer  knows  of  one  man 
in  this  vicinity  who  in  1905,  from  twelve  acres,  cleared,  after  paying 
all  expenses  of  cultivation,  picking,  crating,  shipping  and  selling, 
the  sum  of  $1800,  or  $150  per  acre.  Some  have  realized  as  high 
as  $200  per  acre  net.  One  hundred  and  fifty  to  200  car  loads  per 
year  are  shipped  from  Mesa  to  Chicago. 


Dates  and  Olives 


HPHIS  valley  is  also  adapted  to  the  culture  of  the  date  and  olive. 
•*•  A  twenty  acre  date  orchard  has  been  set  out  by  the  U.  S. 
Agricultural  Department  near  Tempe,  where  more  than  twenty 
varieties,  imported  from  Morocco,  have  been  brought  into  bearing. 
The  fruit  grows  in  clusters  of  30  to  40  Ibs.  and  3  to  6  clusters  to 
the  tree.  The  fresh  fruit  brings  250  a  pound  readily  in  the  local 
market . 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Irrigation     C 


OLIVES  thrive  here,  the  trees  being  especially  adapted  to 
drought  and  heat.  Most  of  the  fruit  is  pressed  for  oil, 
although  the  pickle  industry  is  increasing.  Arizona  olive  oil  has  a 
fine  flavor,  and  its  keeping  qualities  are  especially  good.  Olives 
yield  from  200  to  250  Ibs.  of  fruit  to  the  tree,  and  the  oil  manu- 
facturers pay  from  $20  to  $30  a  ton  for  the  fruit  on  the  trees.  It 
takes  about  90  Ibs.  of  fruit  to  make  a  gallon  of  oil. 

Other  Fruits 


THE  peach,  apricot,  pear,  fig,  almond,  grape  and  strawberry, 
all  do  very  well  here,  and  under  proper  culture,  the  yield  is 
very  large.  The  strawberry  is  found  on  the  market  here  nearly 
the  whole  year,  and  the  profit  to  the  growers  is  very  large.  In 
some  localities  near  Phoenix  one  single  acre  of  strawberries  has 
yielded  from  $500  to  $1000. 


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Dairy  Farming 

'""T'HIS  is  one  of  the  most  profitable  industries  in  the  Salt  River 
*-  Valley,  and  is  one  that  is  not  overdone.  The  dairy  cows 
need  no  housing  as  in  cold  climates.  Dairy  men  think  nothing  of 
clearing  from  $6  to  $10  a  head  per  month  on  milk  cows.  There 
is  always  a  good  market  for  the  dairy  products,  as  only  about 
one-fifth  of  the  dairy  products  consumed  in  Arizona  are  produced 
here  and  Salt  River  Valley  furnishes  95  per  cent  of  all  the  butter 
and  cheese  manufactured  in  the  Territory. 

Horses,  Cattle  and  Sheefi 

THE  Salt  River  Valley  is  noted  for  its  fine  horses  and  fat  cattle. 
Horses  are  raised  here  at  less   expense  than  anywhere,   and 
reach  maturity  a  year  or  two  earlier   than   in   colder  climates. 
Here  the  horses  need  no  protection,  more  than  a  shelter,  or  the 


School 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


District     Schools 


shade  of  a  tree  from  cold  or  heat.  They  run  at  large  on  the 
pastures  the  year  round,  and  at  two  and  three  years  old  cost  the 
owner  just  about  one-fourth  as  much  as  they  do  in  colder  climates. 
Horses  bring  good  prices  here.  Since  the  location  of  the  Terri- 
torial Fair  at  Phoenix  in  1905,  an  additional  impetus  has  been  given 
to  breeding  fine  horses.  As  the  fair  is  held  in  November,  the  owners 
of  speed  horses  from  the  northern  and  eastern  states  are  every 
year  bringing  their  " strings"  to  the  valley  for  winter-training  in 
a  mild  climate,  and  also  for  the  purpose  of  contesting  for  the 
valuable  purses  offered. 

Many  of  the  finest  breeds  of  cattle  are  raised  in  this  valley, 
for  beef  and  dairy  products.  Cattle  are  shipped  into  the  valley 
from  the  mountain  ranges  for  fattening.  After  a  few  months' 


R         I  ON 


run  on  the  alfalfa,  they  are  shipped  to  California  and  the  eastern 
markets  for  beef.  Beef  cattle  are  sold  here  from  2J  to  4£  cents 
per  pound  on  foot.  Thousands  of  sheep  are  driven  into  the  valley 
every  winter  for  shearing  and  the  annual  clip  amounts  to  over 
1,500,000  pounds.  Sheep  are  also  bred  in  the  valley  for  early 
lambs. 

Poultry  and  Eggs 

LS  of  every  kind  seem  to  thrive  here  and  there  is  always  a 
good  price  both  for  fowls  and  eggs.  Chickens  and  turkeys 
pay  well  for  the  time  and  money  expended.  Only  a  small  place 
is  required  for  a  chicken  ranch  —  five  to  ten  acres  are  ample.  The 
supply  does  not  begin  to  meet  the  demand.  During  November, 
December  and  January  eggs  retail  for  400  to  600  per  dozen.  Turkeys 
retail  at  150  to  180  per  lb.,  and  chickens  from  $4.00  to  $6.00 
per  dozen. 

Ostrich  Farming 


is  a  new  industry  in  this  valley  but  is  proving  to  be 
one  of  great  success  financially.  There  are  eight  or  nine 
ostrich  farms  here,  on  which  are  now  herded  2,000  birds.  Fully 
three-fourths  of  the  ostriches  of  the  United  States  are  found  in 
the  vicinity  of  Phoenix.  The  birds  live  on  the  alfalfa,  grazing  like 
cattle.  The  feathers  from  a  full  grown  bird  bring  about  $30  per 
year.  Ostriches  are  valued  as  follows:  Six  months  old,  $100;  one 
year,  $150;  two  years,  $250;  three  years,  $350;  four  years,  $800 
per  pair,  as  at  this  age  they  pair  for  life. 

Access  l>y  Railroads 

HPHE  Salt   River  Valley  is  reached   by  branch   lines  from   two 
*•    transcontinental  railroads.     From  Ash  Fork,  on  the  main  line 
of  the  Santa  Fe  system,   197  miles   north   of   Phoenix,   runs  the 
S.  F.  P.  &  P.  raihvav,  which  terminates  at  Phoenix. 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Building     the     Tonto      Dam 


AT  Maricopa  on  the  main  line  of  the  Southern  Pacific  and  Rock 
Island  system,  is  one  of  the  terminals  of  the  M.  &  P.  &  S.  P.V. 
railway,  the  other  being  at  Phoenix.  The  distance  from  Maricopa 
to  Phoenix  is  35  miles.  A  branch  from  this  road  runs  from  Tempe 
to  Mesa  City. 

The  Phoenix  and  Eastern  railroad  has  been  built  from  Phoenix 
beyond  Florence.  This  line  will  no  doubt  tap  both  the  Southern 
Pacific  and  the  Santa  Fe  systems,  and  will  be  extended  from  Phoenix 
by  Wickenburg  westward  to  California. 

Tourists'  rates  from  eastern  points  to  California  apply  to  Phoenix. 
Any  one  visiting  the  Pacific  coast  may  obtain  stop-over  privileges 
at  Maricopa  or  Ash  Fork  for  Phoenix  by  paying  $3.50  extra  for 
round  trip  ticket.  A  first-class  ticket  from  Chicago  to  Phoenix 
is  $53.85.  From  New  Orleans  about  the  same. 


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oemx 


PHOFA'IX  is  the  capital  of  Arizona  and  county  seat  of  Maricopa 
county,  and  is  a  beautiful  city  of  14,000  to  15,000  population. 
The  city  is  well  laid  out  with  wide  streets  and  sidewalks.  Beautiful 
parks  surround  the  public  buildings,  while  the  residence  streets  are 
nicely  shaded.  Phoenix  has  a  high  school,  grammar  school,  and  five 
ward  schools  in  the  public  system,  in  which  are  enrolled  about  2,000 
children.  There  are  also  private  schools  in  which  are  enrolled  about 
300  pupils.  Twelve  church  denominations  are  represented,  and  all 
have  commodious  houses  of  worship.  One  hundred  thousand 
dollars  was  subscribed  in  eleven  days  for  a  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building, 
which  is  now  in  process  of  building.  The  city  has  a  municipal 
water  works  system,  electric  street  railways,  electricity  and  gas 
for  lighting  and  heating,  four  strong  banks,  including  National, 
Territorial,  Savings  and  Trust  companies,  three  daily  newspapers 

Constructing  Granite  Reef  Division  Dam 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Suburban     Residences 


and  several  weeklies,  a  Carnegie  public  library,  and  all  of  the  con- 
veniences of  the  most  modern  city.  The  altitude  of  Phoenix  is 
1076  feet  above  sea  level,  the  mean  annual  temperature  is  69.3 
degrees,  and  the  average  wind  velocity  is  five  miles  an  hour.  Frosts 
are  light  during  the  winter  months.  No  cold  winds  or  cyclones. 
Phoenix  has  hotels  and  boarding  houses,  a  number  of  restaurants, 
and  is  well  prepared  to  take  care  of  strangers  seeking  health  or 
investments  at  reasonable  rates. 

Temfie 

T^HIS  town,  which  is  about  9  miles  east  of  Phoenix,  has  1500 

•*•    inhabitants,   and  is  located  on  the  south  side  of  Salt  River 

in  the  midst  of  a  rich  farming  country.    The  Territorial  Normal 

school  is  located  at  Tempe,with  fine  buildings,  and  beautiful  grounds, 


A         R         I         Z         O         N 


affording  accommodation  for  200  or  more  pupils.  Several  new  build- 
ings are  l)eing  constructed  from  recent  generous  legislative  appro- 
priations in  order  to  keep  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  Territory, 
which  is  very  proud  of  its  system  of  public  schools  and  educational 
institutions.  Tempe  enjoys  the  distinction  of  owning  its  own  water 
plant,  which  supplies  the  town  with  abundant  water  for  domestic 
and  fire  purposes  at  a  reasonable  cost.  The  churches,  public  schools 
and  fraternal  organizations  are  representative  and  adequate.  Tempe 
has  electric  lights,  good  hotel,  two  good  banks,  a  flouring  mill,  and 
a  condensed  milk  plant.  The  lands  about  Tempe  are  very  fertile, 
and  have  always  enjoyed  a  good  supply  of  water  for  irrigation. 

Mesa   City 

A  BOUT  6  miles  east  of  Phoenix  is  situated  this  beautiful  town. 
**  It  is  well  laid'  out  with  broad  streets,  and  has  a  population  of 
about  1500.  Mesa  has  a  high  school  and  graded  schools  in  which 
are  enrolled  about  800  children.  Mesa  has  a  good  hotel,  a  strong  bank, 
churches,  and  is  lighted  by  electricity.  The  lands  about  Mesa  are 
very  fertile,  and  are  especially  adapted  for  growing  grapes,  melons, 
cantaloupes  and  fruits  of  every  description.  From  Mesa  are  shipped 
annually  hundreds  of  car  loads  of  cantaloupes  of  the  choicest  and 
sweetest  flavor,  that  readily  command  the  highest  price  on  the  east- 
ern markets.  Several  large  pumping  plants  for  irrigation  are  being 
operated  near  Mesa,  furnishing  a  continuous  supply  of  water  for 
thousands  of  acres  of  land,  one  ranch  alone  irrigating  3,200  acres 
from  pumped  underground  water. 

Alhambra,  Glendale,  Peoria  and  Scottsdale,  are  all  thriving  vil- 
lages, from  four  to  fourteen  miles  from  Phoenix.  They  are  all  situated 
in  the  Salt  River  Valley  in  the  midst  of  the  rich  farming  lands. 


SALT      RIVER       VALLEY 


Residence    Streets,     Phoenix 

Buckeye 

T^HIS  village  is  situated  about  30  miles  west  of  Phoenix,  in 
•*  a  district  noted  for  its  grain,  alfalfa  and  fat  cattle.  The 
Buckeye  canal,  which  irrigates  this  district,  receives  an  abundant 
supply  of  water  by  means  of  a  diversion  dam  across  the  Gila 
river  below  its  confluence  with  the  Salt,  and  just  west  of  the 
Agua  Fria  river.  Ranch  cattle  are  driven  in  for  feeding  in  thou- 
sands each  year,  and  the  exports  are  fat  cattle,  besides  hay, 
grain  and  hogs.  Cotton  is  also  grown  successfully  in  this  vicinity. 

Arlington 

WEST  of  Buckeye  is  located  Arlington,  which  gets  its  supply 
of  water   for    irrigation   from    the    Gila    river.     The   lands 
are  very  productive,   and  the  people  prosperous  and  hospitable. 


R         I         Z          O         N 


vv  icK.cn  ou  rg 

T^HIS  is  a  mining  town,  and  is  situated  on  the  Santa  Fe,  Prescott 
*•  &  Phoenix  railroad  about  50  miles  northwest  of  Phoenix. 
Wickenburg  has  a  population  of  about  500  inhabitants,  good  schools 
and  hotels,  large  mercantile  houses,  and  is  the  center  of  a  large 
mining  district.  Near  Wickenburg  are  situated  some  good  mines, 
and  a  great  many  promising  prospects.  The  Vulture  mine,  one  of 
the  famous  gold  producers,  is  about  14  miles  westerly  from  Wicken- 
burg. This  mine,  though  not  in  operation  at  present,  has  produced 
many  millions  of  dollars  and  no  doubt  will  be  operated  successfully 
again.  Wickenburg  is  destined  to  be  one  of  the  great  mining  towns 
in  the  future,  and  is  an  ideal  place  for  a  smelter,  as  there  is  much 
copper  and  gold  in  the  vicinity. 

Agua  Caliente 

TI  ERE  are  situated  the  famous  Hot  Springs.  These  springs  possess 
•*•  •*•  rare  medicinal  qualities,  and  the  water  is  used  for  drinking  as 
well  as  bathing.  The  temperature  of  the  water  is  98  to  104  degrees, 
and  the  resort  is  patronized  by  those  seeking  rest  and  recuperation, 
as  well  as  by  those  who  desire  restoration  of  health.  Agua  Caliente 
is  located  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Maricopa  county,  12  miles 
north  of  Sentinel  station  on  the  Southern  Pacific  railroad,  with 
which  the  place  is  connected  by  stage. 

Cave   Creek 

'T'HIS  is  also  a  mining  district,  situated  about  30  miles  north  of 
•••    Phoenix.     There  are  many   gold  and  copper  prospects  in  the 
district,  some  of  which   are  very  promising.    This  is  also  a  cattle 
and  sheep  country. 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Phoenix    Residences 

Price  of  Lands — Salt  River  Valley 

IMPROVED  lands  sell  from  $75  to  $150  per  acre.  Unimproved 
*  lands  sell  from  $50  to  $75  per  acre.  The  price  of  lands  has  advanced 
from  50%  to  100%  in  value  within  the  past  year.  The  limit 'has  not 
•  been  reached  yet,  as  similar  lands  under  Government  irrigation 
projects  in  other  localities  are  worth  from  $250  to  $500  per  acre. 

Expense  of  Living 


T  TQTELS  charge  $2  per  day  and  upwards.  Board  can  be  had 
**  from  $5  to  $10  per  week.  Rooms,  furnished,  from  $8  to  $30 
per  month.  Furnished  houses  from  $25  to  $150  per  month. 
Unfurnished  houses  from  $15  to  $50  per  month. 


R         I         Z         O         N 


Wa 


ges 


CARPENTERS  are  paid  from  $4.50  to  $5.00  per  day.  Brick 
^*  masons  from  $6.00  to  $8.00  per  day.  Laborers  from  $1.25 
to  $1.50  per  day  and  board. 

A   ^fflord  to  Health  Seekers 

THE  Salt  River  Valley  has  become  celebrated  as  a  health  resort, 
and  every  winter   Phoenix,  Tempe  and   Mesa,  are  filled  with 
health  seekers  and  tourists.  Every  comfort  can  be  had  here.  Nourish- 
ing food,  such  as  milk,  cream,  butter,  eggs,  fresh  meats  and  fruits 
of  every  kind  are  within  the  reach  of  all. 

While  the  benefits  derived  from  a  short  stay  are  great,  and 
in  many  instances  lasting,  yet  to  receive  the  best  results,  one  should 
remain  here  some  time.  This  section  is  sought  by  those  suffering 
from  tuberculosis  or  consumption,  yet  there  are  other  complaints, 
such  as  catarrh  and  asthma,  that  are  relieved  by  this  mild  and 
dry  climate. 

No  one  should  come  here  seeking  health  unless  he  has  money 
enough  to  last  him  from  six  months  to  a  year,  as- it  is  very  difficult 
for  sick  persons  to  find  employment.  By  economizing  an  invalid 
might  get  along  on  $50  per  month,  but  he  should  have  $75  to  $100 
per  month,  for  six  months  or  a  year  if  he  expects  lasting  benefits. 
Phoenix  has  hospitals  and  sanitariums,  but  they  are  not  free  insti- 
tutions. We  have  good  and  reliable  physicians,  but  they  can- 
not attend  patients  free  of  cost. 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Valley    Orange    Grove 


Schools 


T^HE  county  of  Maricopa,  and  especially  the  Salt  River  Valley, 
•*•  has  good  public  schools.  The  school  buildings  are  comfortable, 
and  so  located  throughout  the  valley,  that  they  are  in  easy  reach  of 
the  children.  The  standard  of  our  schools  is  high,  education  com- 
pulsory, and  the  teachers  are  all  of  good  moral  character  and  fully 
competent.  The  county  has  105  schools;  29  grammar  schools  and 
76  primary  schools.  The  large  towns  also  have  high  schools.  The 
number  of  children  in  the  county  between  the  ages  of  6  and  21 
years,  are  5,741;  the  number  enrolled  in  the  public  schools  is  4,553; 
the  number  enrolled  in  private  schools  is  300;  number  of  teachers 
employed  117;  money  received  for  school  purposes  for  1907 
$98,765.33;  amount  paid  to  teachers,  $65,516;  average  salaries  paid 
male  teachers,  $90;  average  salaries  paid  female  teachers,  $70. 


ARIZONA 

Questions  Answered 

that  may  1><>  <>f  infoivst  to  the  homeseeker,  the  investor  or  the  tourist . 

1 .  Where    is    the    Salt    River    Valley?     In    Maricopa    county, 
in  south  central  Arizona,  comprising  the  land  lying  on  both  sides 
of  the  Salt   River,  above  the  confluence  of  the  Salt  and  Gila. 

2.  How  large  is  the  Salt  River  Valley?    The  Valley,  proper, 
is  about  50  miles  in  length  by  15  miles  in  width,  containing  about 
750  square  miles,  aggregating  about  a  half  million  acres  of  land. 

3.  How    much    of   this    land    is    now    in    cultivation?     About 
125,000  acres. 

4.  How  much  will  be  irrigated  when  the  Tonto  dam  or  Salt, 
Hivor    project    is    completed?     About    200,000    to*  250,000    acres. 

5.  When   will   the   Tonto   dam    be   finished?     It    ought   to    be 
finished  during  1909  or  1910. 

6.  How  is  the  climate  of  the  Salt  River  Valley?     The  climate 
is  mild.     From  September  to  June  the  climate  is  delightful.    From 
June  to  September  the  weather  is  warm. 

7.  What    is   the   lowest   temperature   in   winter?     The   lowest 
recorded   is   22°   above   zero. 

8.  What  is  the  highest  summer  temperature?     On  one  occasion 
within  twenty  years,  by  U.  S.  Weather  Bureau  record,  the  ther- 
mometer has  gone  as  high  as  117°. 

9.  What   is   the   average   summer   heat?     About   87.7°. 


SALT        RIVER        VALLEY 


A     Dairy     Farm 


10.  What  is  the  average  rainfall  per  year?     Six  to  seven  inches. 

11.  How  about  storms,   snow  and  ice?     We  have  little  frost, 
no   snow,   very   little  ice.     No   violent   storms   or   cyclones. 

12.  How  does  the   heat  affect  one?     A  temperature  of  90°  to 
95°  in  the  eastern   states  is  far  more  prostrating  and  dangerous 
than  the  highest  temperature  experienced  in  the  Salt  River  Valley. 

13.  What  is  the  cause  of  the  difference?     The  absence  of  humid- 
ity in  the  atmosphere. 

14.  What  is  the  cost  per  acre  per  year  for  water?    From  $1.00 
to  $1.50  per  acre. 


ARIZONA 

15.  How    is    water    obtained    for    domestic    purposes?     From 
wells  from  18  to  100  feet  deep. 

16.  How  about  the  market?     This  valley  supplies  the  Arizona 

towns   and    minimi   camps,   also  California  and  eastern  cities. 

17.  Is  it  profitable  to  keep  bees?     Yes,  this  is  a  very  profitable 
business,  and  carloads  of  honey  are  shipped  out  of  the  valley  every 
year. 

18.  How  are  the  roads?     Most  excellent  the  year  round,  only 
now   and   then   a   little   muddy. 

19.  How  many  acres  of  land  are  necessary  to  support  a  family? 
From  ten  to  twenty. 

20.  Is  there  any  Government   land  in  the  Salt   River  Valley 
open   for   entry   where   water   can   be   obtained?     At   present,   no, 
as  the  Government  has  withdrawn  the  lands  from  entry  until  the 
Salt  River  project  is  completed. 

21.  How  would  a  new  settler  procure  a  home?     By  purchas- 
ing from  some  one  who  owns  more  than  he  needs. 

22.  Can  small  farms  be  obtained?    They   can.     Many  of  the 
large  farms  will  be  cut  up,  and  sold  in  ten  and  twenty  and  forty 
acre  lots. 

23.  Can  farms  be  rented?     Yes,  they  can  be  rented  for  cash 
or  on  shares. 

24.  What  fuel  is  used?     Wood,  coal  and  oil. 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Haying     in     December 


25.  Is  wood  expensive?     Wood  in  the  towns  costs  from  ,$5  to 
$6.50   a   cord.     The   farmers   usually   raise   their   own   wood   from 
the   cottonwood  trees    around    their  farms.     A  farmer  by  plant- 
ing cottonwood  sprouts  or  cottonwood  posts  for  wire  fence,   can 
in  a  few  years  have  living  trees  for  posts  and  all  the  wood  he  needs 
for  years  to  come. 

26.  What  advantage  does  this  valley  offer  to  the  farmer  over 
other  sections?     With  82  per  cent  of  sunny  days,  it  is  possible  for 
laborers  to  work  out  of  doors  nearly  every  day  in  the  year;  the 
great  yield  for  the  labor  bestowed,  and  good  prices  for  crops.     In 
addition  to  this,  we  have  good  roads  to  market,  good  schools  for 
the  children,  free  rural  delivery,  and  telephone  connection  all  over 
the  valley. 


R         I         Z         O         N 


L'7.   \\hatisthepriceoflumber?     From  $35  to  $50  per  thousand. 

28.  What    is   the    rate    of   taxation?    Territorial,    county    and 
school  tax  combined  is  about  $2.50  to  $2.60  per  $100,  assessed 
valuation. 

29.  Is    property    assessed    at    full    market    value?     No,    about 
one-third. 

30.  What   inducements  are  offered   health  seekers?     The   mild 
and   equable   climate   permits   a   constant   out-of-door   life;   bright 
sunny  days  and  immunity  from  changeable  weather  gives  nature 
a   chance  to   recuperate   without   medicines. 

31.  What  inducements  are  offered  to  winter  visitors?     Hotels 
and    boarding    houses    at    reasonable    rates,    hunting,    magnificent 
scenery,   beautiful  drives,   good  theaters,  hospitable  and  cultured 
society,  freedom  from  cold  winds,  snow  and  changeable  weather. 

32.  What  will  be  the  cost  of  the  Salt  River  project,  including 
the   Tonto   dam   and   reservoir,   diversion   dam,   etc.?     About   $25 
to  $30  an  acre  for  the  200,000  to  250,000  acres  to  receive  the  bene- 
fit.    Payments    will    be    made   in   ten    equal    annual    installments 
without  interest,  but  will  not  commence  until  the  reservoir  is  com- 
pleted. 

33.  What   has   become   of  the   Indians?     The   Indians   are   all 
peaceable,  and  are  busily  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil,  while  their 
children  are  being  educated  for  a  life  of  usefulness  by  the  U.  S. 
Government. 

34.  Do  they  have  good  schools?     Yes,  the  U.  S.  Government 
has  a  number  of  schools  for  the  Indians.     One  near  Phoenix  has 
700  pupils  from  thirty  tribes.     The  boys  are  taught  useful  trades, 
while   the   girls   are  taught   housework   of  every   kind. 

35.  What    becomes   of   the    Indians   when   they   leave   school? 
Many  of  them  are  hired  out  for  servants  among  the  white  people. 
Others  go  back  to  their  farms.     Some  become  teachers  and  me- 
chanics. 


SALT       RIVER       VALLEY 


Cattle    on    Alfalfa 

Wants  of  the  Salt  River  Valley 

\ V  7HILE  the  Salt  River  Valley  possesses  a  great  many  advantages 
*  *  over  other  sections  and  offers  rare  inducements  to  the  home- 
seeker,  the  laborer,  the  tourist  and  the  capitalist,  yet  there  are 
some  things  we  are  in  need  of.  Among  our  greatest  needs  are  the 
following : 

A  woolen  mill  to  work  up  the  wool  clip  of  the  vicinity,  amount- 
ing to  1,500,000  Ibs.  to  2,000,000  Ibs.,  annually. 

Families  to  settle  on  small  tracts  of  irrigated  lands  from  20  to 
40  acres  per  family.  Strong  able-bodied  men,  who  are  not  afraid  to 
work.  All  laborers,  whether  skilled  or  unskilled,  can  find  steady 
employment  at  good  wages.  Truck  farmers,  fruit  growers,  dairymen, 
and  poultry  raisers  can  make  money  here  on  small  investments. 

A  cannery  is  greatly  needed. 


ORJEATBO  AIVD 
PK  ODVC&D 
B  y  T  H  t 


